green man quilts
It had been strongly suggested at school that I didn’t continue with the sewing
classes, after I cut my skirt along the fold line of the pattern, made a pigs
ear of the french seams in the nightie and did who knows what damage to the
domestic science apron (all we had to do was hem it and chain stitch our
initials!). Those were the 3 projects for that year! Dismal! But I went home,
told Auntie Mary about it and in a weekend she taught me more than I had learnt
in the whole year. And inspired me to create things of beauty! I entered – and
got first prize in the dressmaking competition at school the next year! My
initial interest in quilts came from the Laura Ashley patchwork packs from the
1970s and 80s. Laura Ashley fed my passion for colour by selling me various bags
of fabric – off-cuts, pre-cut hexagons – the lot, and with these I started my
journey into quilt making. As a primary school teacher in the 80s I ran quilting
clubs and worked with the children to create items for school fetes and the
like. At this time I was a teacher member of the Quilters’ Guild and supported
the Young Quilters team with a variety of workshops. I am no longer involved
with Young Quilters though I have maintained my involvement with the Guild,
serving as Festival of Quilts Officer from 2016 until 2021 and as a Trustee from
2021. I began to make quilts seriously in 1995 after I first attended a workshop
taught by Judith Wilson in St Albans. Following this super introduction, I
attended a number of courses taught by Judith over the next few years. I then
successfully completed the City & Guilds Certificate in Craft and Design
(Patchwork & Quilting) at Missenden Abbey taught by Barbara Weeks and, after a
few years break, the City & Guilds Diploma in Craft and Design (Patchwork &
Quilting) at Missenden Abbey taught by Janice Gunner. I have been influenced by
the quilts exhibited at The American Museum, Bath and the V&A; and by many
different quilters, a few of whom are referenced in my blog. My inspiration
comes from the natural world, folk traditions, story and music and I am
particularly drawn to Modern and Improv quilting. This adventure in craft and
design, through quiltmaking, has led both directly and indirectly to some of the
pieces on this website…. take a peek!
